003 (mar. 7) / video.

[dissenter]

[it's been over a month since qilby last showed his face in a personal post on the network, and since then the pile of books on his workspace have grown to obscene levels. either he's been spending all his food money on these things -- he certainly isn't looking any less gaunt than usual -- or someone's been seriously ignoring their due dates at the library…

due dates don't apply to kings, anyway. and that's the truth!

he smiles a tired smile.] Believe it or not, I think I'm beginning to exhaust Shibusen's library of its resources. A word to the wise -- the selection is smaller than it first appears, when the majority of books are restricted to the public.

[is that a subtle jab at the way things are run? probably not. he's still generally-cheery looking, after all.] I wonder what the policy on traveling outside the city is, when one's not accompanying their partner on a mission. It's dangerous out there, of course, but I'm curious about the rest of this world outside the city's walls. It's not every day that I-- [well, that'd be a lie] ... That most people get to see a new planet, and I'm sure I'm not the only un-partnered individual who's got an itch to explore. The libraries of the world await...

... Perhaps, when things calm down a bit. [you know, when you mighty warriors can afford to sit around and lounge by the pool all day.] In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions as to other ways of acquiring study material? A man needs to keep himself occupied.

[you have no idea.]

Comments

[dissenter]

[amicably] Something useful enough for the risk to be worth the reward, at least.

Are there any others you've spoken to about this? I know for a fact that we're not the only ones that take issue with these restrictions, after all.

[want_the_world]

A couple. One of them's gone, and the other was sent home and brought back recently.

Hence the adjustments to the plan. If she's still in, we have a ready-made distraction.

[dissenter]

Just another one of BREW's charming qualities, that... [with audible annoyance. ah well.]

I understand it's best to keep a group like this as small as possible, but-- should you require, I might know a few others up to the job.

[one more willing, but far less trustworthy than the other. he'll have to see.]

[want_the_world]

Oh? What are their qualifications?

[dissenter]

I believe one's some sort of thief, and I'll be speaking with them shortly.

The other... [he trails off.]

... The other is short and unnoticeable. [he finishes lamely.] Both seem to have some sort of stake in these tomes.

[want_the_world]

You're not talking about one of the frog things, are you?

[Not that Mello would absolutely refuse, if it--he?--was useful (and one had helped Rose get her intel from the very same place), but they're weird.]

[dissenter]

Oh, no, no-- [backpedaling!] He's just... Really, very short.

[then again qilby's practically a beanpole in a hat as wide as two of him, so he's got no business talking. there's a long pause, and then somewhat abashedly--] To be honest, I've no idea how I'm to contribute, even. I'm, aah-- I'm not used to this sort of thing. [with not a little annoyance] Not used to having to steal my knowledge, I mean.

[want_the_world]

[Mello... is used to stealing information.]

You've got a hell of a lot more experience with tools like BREW than I do. Something that looks like worthless scrap paper to me might be the thing that tells you exactly what you need to know.

[dissenter]

True enough. [a little drily.] I'll do my best to be inconspicuous.

[yeah, how hard could it be to spot a six-foot-something old beanpole in a hat twice as big as him?]

[want_the_world]

I'll find out if the other person's still in, and I'll get back to you soon.

sorry, hiatus is over now ;;

[dissenter]

[it's a nice feeling, knowing that wheels are turning. things were beginning to stagnate.]

I look forward to it, and-- thank you.